Editorials > "Indiana Jones" Hits Theaters, Predictions Welcome

After a long 19 years, Indiana Jones is coming back to the big screen with "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Harrison Ford is back, Karen Allen is back, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are back. They've even improved the cast by adding the likes of Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, and even the somewhat divisive Shia LaBeouf. So who would like to make a prediction?

Here are the facts: 

1. It's got the aforementioned star-power.
2. This weekend, as far as Indy is concerned, is five days long.
3. The film is rated PG-13.
4. The reviews are mildly positive.
5. It will be opening in 4,260 theaters.
6. This weekend last year, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" made $139.7 million. The year before, "X-Men: The Last Stand" made $122.8 million.

So, from Thursday (12:01am) to next Tuesday (12:00am), how much money will this film stuff into Paramount's already enormous pockets? My guess on the high end would be a cool $150 million. On the low end, probably $125 million. My exact guess (and we're not playing by "Price is Right" rules; you're allowed to go over) is $132.8 million. I think the combination of "Iron Man" and "Narnia" will put a small dent in it, keeping it from surpassing "Pirates," but it's still going to make a ton of money.

What do you think? Again, no prizes to give out, ONLY GLORY. Our last winner, Malakii, guessed "Iron Man"'s domestic gross within half of a million dollars. Which reminds me, we're guessing domestic gross here. Bonus points will be awarded (though naturally, they're worthless too) if you can figure out how popular Indiana Jones is internationally. Here's a shot in the dark by me: $90 million international + 132.8 domestic = $222.8 million total.

-David Morgan (but not the 82-year-old David Morgan who made Indy's bullwhips, as a colleague pointed out to me)